RV, Motorhome recommendations sought

Today | Me

[N. Theknow]

Wife and I are now officially retired. Looking at RV's to allow us roaming on our schedule. We have made an "Our Turn" list of things/places we want to do/see.

After years of caring for ailing parents, divorced siblings who sent their children to be raised by us along with our kids and all the activities requiring Mom and Dad taxi service, working our butts off making our small business thrive (which it is still doing as a nice tax write-off) it is Our Turn and we are getting ready.

[Jonty30]

I think my preference, if you’re towing a car, is diesel. You don’t lose much mileage if you’re towing with a diesel.

[randita]

Set a budget.

Do a LOT of research. Talk to people who have RV’s and see why they got what they did. Make a list of what you have to have in an RV, what you’d like to have, and what you really don’t need. Go to RV shows and dealerships and browse.

Check out rv.net - great info there on everything RV related.

The old axiom is “buy your second RV first”. IOW, don’t buy basic with the idea that you might upgrade. You won’t be satisfied and will likely upgrade much sooner than you thought you would.

Speaking from experience, towing a car is a pain. We did it for many years with a motorhome. Finally we sold the MH and bought a truck and small travel trailer. We wanted to travel cross country and the small trailer works great for that.

How long do you plan to live in the RV at a time? If you plan to go to a warm climate in the winter for several months, you’ll want something that you can spread out in and may want a washer/dryer.

Where are you going to store it? Weather is brutal on RV’s that are stored out in the open. In that case, consider covering it. Again, speaking from experience, covering a 36’ MH is much, much harder than covering a 26’ travel trailer - but both are pains in the butt when you start to get older.

Those are just a few considerations I can think of. We’ve had a lot of experience, so if you have specific questions, freepmail me.

Happy looking!

[Jonty30]

One thing I thought about, if I came into good money and could do RV, is that a new SUV and the motel life was more my style. The cost would be about the same, over the long haul, and you wouldn’t need to more maintenance than carrying your luggage to.your room and you could still see America at your leisure.

[Donkey Odious]

We lived in a 5th wheel for extended periods two times. EZ to set up EZ to tow (350 dually diesel - the more truck the better, and it becomes your runaround vehicle). Regardless, get at least 2 slides - living and bedroom - it will make a huge difference. And, unless you are Bill Gates, buy used. Don’t be afraid of being a newbie. RVers are always ready to land a helpful hand. Enjoy!!

[elteemike]

Having “been there-done that” as a full-timer, please consider a used RV if you can find one in turn-key condition for the right price...

Lots of “don’t-wanters” getting out of RV-ing who have kept up their coaches...Lots of nice RVs available used for about what you’d lose in depreciation on a new RV in the first few years you own it...Plan to spend a good bit of time with routine maintenance on RV systems, unless you can afford to breeze into the local RV dealer and pay to play...$$$

Try some short trips, gradually extending duration and distance until you’re sure it’s for you...Especially before you sell your home...Just a few things I learned...Good luck...

[Jonty30]

I should add that a rice cooker can take the place of many pots, so you can minimize the amount of dishes you need.

[Garth Tater]

I like the truck/towed camper combo myself. Put a cap on the back of the truck and you have an extra 150 cu.ft. of storage which lets you downsize your space requirements for the camper (which makes it easier to tow.) Use the extra storage space to bring along all the stuff you need for a great party - screened in sun tent, bbq, small generator, sound system, tiki torches, coolers - if you're traveling to have fun and meet people, sitting inside an RV won't do it.

A truck/camper combo also lets you drop the camper and the wife off to play with the grandkids (we plan trips around grandkids these day) while you take off with the truck to go fishing. No matter how much room you're towing around some "alone time" is very important if you still want to be married when you get back home :)

[WASCWatch]

Renting one of those to tour Europe would be a fabulous 2-3 month vacation.

[Haiku Guy]

You would be amazed how inexpensive they are to rent.

[WASCWatch]

What website would you suggest to get a good price?

[John S Mosby]

My reply #89 was not sent to you— hopefully you’re reading the thread. And later reply had a link to an ad that had photos without requiring a “membership” to see them. An email you don’t care about and then later trash or change is a good idea you will be pestered by some hurried sellers. RVs not quite as bad as a boat (hole in the water where you pour your money, etc).

[missthethunder]

FYI

Some of the roads to Alaska are very bad.
I rode up with my parents one year.
They’re constantly working on the roads and the dirt ones
will shake the RV to pieces.
And you’re on them for hours.

[fulltlt]

Ping for later

[Big Red Badger]

A New F150 with A Casita Trailer,
Yup.
Choice #2,
A 22’ ft. Winnebago towing my
Jeep Wrangler.

I plan on Full Time Arizona
Exploring Ghost Towns and Indian battlefields.

I am Ready Now to “Pull the Trigger!”

[Big Red Badger]

Ford V-10,,,
I was told they got it Right now.
.
2019 Minnie Winnie 22R,
Ford F250 chassis.

[Big Red Badger]

Good Post,,,
I need more Friends!

[Big Red Badger]

Great Thread N!
I think I have decided
After Reading All the Posts.
Thanks.

[SkyPilot]

N. Theknow,

This thread is about 3 months old, but I am posting in the hope that you could give an update about your RV decision.

I read all the responses, and there was some very sage advice given. My wife and I were recently considering an RV as well, and after much research, many conversations, we have decided to not purchase one at this time. IF we decided to purchase one at all, we were leaning towards a Class B or what is known as a Class B+, and I'll give you my reason for that. But first, I wanted to focus on what two posters in particular said, and echo my endorsement of what they said. In my opinion, Freepers alloysteel and semantic gave the most sound advice on the thread. Their experience echoed what we found to be true for many previous and current RV owners.

If you still thinking of purchasing and RV, please watch this invest 18 minutes of time and watch this video from a lawyer in Michigan who specializes in lemon law and warranty legal issues. His name is Steven Lehto, and he is a straight shooter.

Don't Buy an RV

He has done a couple of follow up videos. His main point is that people will and can still buy them, but they should be informed about several issues.

- the quality of most RVs built today is atrocious

- it is not uncommon for new owners of RVs to discover dozens and dozens of problems, and for their RV to be in the shop for 5, 6, 9, or more months for the first year they own it

- there are few state lemon laws, and no national lemon law that protect RV buyers as they do with cars and trucks, the manufacturers know this, and they take full advantage

- a new RV does not = "Trouble Free." An expensive RV does not = "I Paid More, So I Get Better Quality."

- pay an independent RV inspector to inspect the unit BEFORE you buy or sign the dotted line, and NEVER pay the dealer for a "mandatory" inspection that they say they will do (and charge you up to $2,000 for)

What I have also discovered is that the maintenance of RVs (using the dealer or the warranty process) is a minefield for owners. Most RV manufacturers are pushing out quickly built, low quality junk. They don't care how many problems these units have. The dealers don't have the technicians or the maintenance bays they need to work on all the defect units, and they are not paid for the warranty work from the manufacturer - and the poor RV owner is caught in the middle. Not to mention the fact that it is going to take you MONTHS to get a maintenance appointment to even diagnose your issues, then you will need another appointment to get it fixed, after they order parts. The RV technician training and certification system is an absolute joke for most of the dealerships, and most don't properly diagnose issues very well. Often, they will throw new parts at a problem, which won't fix the underlying issues.

What Freeper outofsalt said about Depreciation is very, very true. You got a lot of advice about buy "lightly used." Yes, that is better. A new RV will depreciate about 25% - 30% for driving it home, and after 3 years will depreciate further. But even if you buy one after 3 years, the RV has not finished depreciating. This is how many, many RV owners who finance end up being upside down on loans. RVs are expensive, and not everyone can afford to plunk down 6 figures. So they get 8, 10, 12, 15, or 20 year loans. I read a story about an older couple who bought a $167,000 Class A new, and after many years, the husband died. She still owed about $70,000 on it, but it was worth about $33,000 on a good day. She said, "Well, I'll just sell it." Nope. She didn't have the title. Her only "solution" was a bridge loan, which comes with a whole host of other problems I won't go into here. A RV tech told me that "Many RVs are only good for sawdust and scrap aluminum after 6-7 years."

I realize there are exceptions. Some RVs are built better, and Freeper buzz_85 mentioned Newmar, Tiffin or Winnebago as being better built. That is true. Airstream is a good brand as well, although they got out of the Class A business and now only build travel trailers. Today, 83% of all RVs are owned by only 2 companies, and those RVs are made very, very cheaply and poorly. They may look great on the lot, but look closer. Cardboard and staples. Things that fall off. Rubber roofs that bubble up after only a few years and leak. Slides that jam at the drop of a hat and then leak. On and on.

You may have heard this advice: "RVs are like taking your home and subjecting it to a rolling earthquake and hurricane force winds, so you can expect things to break." Yes, that is somewhat true. Plumbing can get out of whack, and things can break. But the underlying truth is that most RVs made today are of such low quality that they will also break sitting in a heated aircraft hanger.

A Freeper on another RV thread said he did RV financing. He admitted they fell apart is no time, but he recommended buying the "Extended 6 Year Warranty." I don't recommend this - at all.

There is also not "one warranty" on the RV. If you buy a new one, expect to get a cardboard box with many books of individual warranties. And they all come with "conditions."

I promised you my thoughts on the Class B or Class B+. Of all the RVs we looked at, these seemed to have the least amount of maintenance and quality issue. Not say they don't have them, just that they have the least amount (except for very high end RVs). Class Bs are built on a Mercedes Sprint chassis, or on a Ford or Dodge. They can be diesel or gas. The RV manufacturer then builds the RV inside that van structure. This take a lot of time and more custom building. Hence, Class Bs are very expensive. They are also the smallest RVs (compared to Class As, Class Cs, 5th wheels, etc.) This fact stumps new RV tire kickers, but that's the way it is. Many potential RV owners say the Class B is too small for them, and that may be true. All things are trade offs.

Other things to consider about the RV lifestyle:

- driving them can be terrifying (not always, but for some people this is a massive issue)

- sewage: it comes with RVing, and if it bothers you, then RVs may not be for you

- RV parks are becoming increasingly crowded, and reserving spots is getting more difficult. There are alternatives, like boon-dock camping on BLM land, and there are also state parks, but it's something to consider

- parking at WalMarts is getting more difficult, because local ordinances are being passed in some place to tamp down on RVs parking there, and some WalMart managers have had bad experiences with the bad apples

Sorry this was so long, but thought I would share some of what I learned. I am still learning. Again, we may consider a class B or B+ in the future. This one was recommended by a friend:

Tiffin Class B Wayfarer 24 TW

Other Class Bs with better reputation for quality are Pleasure Way, Airstream, and Leisure Travel.

For high quality Class As, we have heard better things about Tiffin or Newmar.

But if you decide to get an RV, the best class and type is up to you. Just do a lot of research.

All the best, and good luck.

[mad_as_he$$]

Very nice summary!

[semantic]

Very nice summary - you covered all the main issues. My advice for anyone still interested is to consider a blended method. By that, I mean a combination of lodges, tent camping and RVing. Lodges and tent camping are easy, no brainers, so I'll focus on the RV side.

Perhaps the core, fundamental problem with RVs is that the coaches are custom built. This poses at least two problems: their own respective (lack of) quality and the fact they are then not subject to federal/state vehicle quality control standards. The solution is to get a stripped cargo van, whether it be a Transit, Sprinter or similar. This solves the problem of quality because they are unit body constructed/welded, and of course are sold under strict consumer & warranty standards. A 3rd factor would be that they are small/light enough to be serviced by either dealers or outside mechanics.

OK, so now that you have your stripped, white Transit van, what are you going to do with it? Well, you can throw your tent camping gear in it for one: sleeping bags, tent, stove, wash basin, pop up tent, chairs, bikes and what-not. That's it? No, that's not it - here's where the real beauty lies, especially if you are at all handy or like construction projects.

The first order of business is to put in a roof vent. Second is a solar panel. Third is some elementary electrical wiring - don't worry, this business has become so large (thank #vanlife) there are tons of plug & play kits available. Lacking that, there is now a very nice stable of qualified techs who do this for a living. Ok, so now you have a basic, yet very functional 12 volt solar system, complete with monitor, converter, battery (pack), etc.

Now what? Next is insulation and paneling. This is actually really easy, and you can choose/design any decor you like. Once that's finished, you have a nicely laid out interior with basic 12VDC electrical capabilities. (That is, can run LED lighting as well as USB re-charging.)

Last are the amenities, and once again there are tons of kits available, instruction videos and/or outside contractors who know how to do this. You don't want to go crazy, you don't want them hacking at metal - all you need is some kind of fold-out coach/bed, a simple counter with wash basis, and some cabinets. You can always modify via plug+play as you go. Last, get a simple marine toilet and put it in the corner of the van. Get used to going #2 in park/store/restaurant/health club toilet facilities, and keep it for mid-night #1.

So, let's review what we have: we have a super reliable, go anywhere, take anywhere stealth 'work van' that doesn't call attention to itself. If the weather is nice and the campgrounds are pleasant, you may choose to decide to set up the tent and other outdoor camping gear. If the weather is miserable, and/or you're in the mood for being indoors, spring for lodging. And when you're travelling, want to crash, there isn't availability, or you just want to chill on the side of the road overlooking a pretty vista, then you have your RV.

The name of the game is convenience, flexibility, adaptability and a worry/stress free operating vehicle that drives almost like your regular passenger car. And maybe the best part of the experience? There are lots and lots of other people doing just this - it's almost like a secret club of cognoscenti. Now, they will most likely be (much) younger, a bit liberal (that's natural) and not as financially well off, but it is a bit of a club.

And if you don't like constant travel and/or RVing and want to give it up? Total loss may be 5k, outer range $10k. No one will pay market for your upgrades, but at the end of the day, it's still a work van which has its own built in demand and market pricing structure.